How To Fix Foundation Cracks

Many homeowners with foundation cracks look for quick DIY solutions to get the damage repaired as quickly and easily as possible. However, quick solutions such as caulking and sealing cracks will only provide a temporary cosmetic solution if you have serious foundation damage.

Sometimes, foundation cracks indicate more than what meets the eye: an underlying structural issue. In this case, simply sealing cracks will not prevent your foundation from continuing to settle into the ground. So how do you know if your foundation cracks are serious enough for structural repair?

Do My Foundation Cracks Need Structural Repair?

Vertical and diagonal cracks in your home’s foundation are most often a sign of natural settlement and not necessarily a sign of structural damage in your home. If the crack seems even when you run your finger across it, that probably isn’t a sign of a major problem, and you should be able to do the minor cosmetic repair yourself.

Horizontal cracks can be signs of a serious foundation problem.

Larger cracks that aren’t serious enough to indicate foundation failure may be repaired by you or a contractor. A homeowner can fix simple foundation cracks that don’t involve drilling holes in the foundation walls or using high-pressure injection systems. Cracks that leak should be fixed by Airlift Concrete Experts because we have the tools, products, and know-how to repair them.

Cracks larger than 1/4” in width, particularly horizontal cracks and ones that leak, are a different matter, and you should consult Airlift Concrete Experts to determine whether further repairs should be implemented in order to avoid serious foundation problems or even foundation failure.

Foundation Crack Repair Methods

Following are various methods used by homeowners and professionals to repair foundation cracks. Some methods are more reliable and longer-lasting than others.

Caulk Crack Repair

Often homeowners may try to patch a leaking crack with caulk. This repair lasts only 6 months to a year because water will continue to fill the crack behind the patch. Eventually, efflorescence, a white mineral salt in the groundwater, will break the seal and allow water to seep in again.

Hydraulic Cement Crack Fillings

Sometimes homeowners or contractors will try to repair the crack by chiseling out an inverted V-groove and filling it with hydraulic cement. While the cement will fill the hole, it doesn’t bond with the cement. Usually, within a couple of years, the concrete wall will fluctuate with changes in temperature and moisture and cause the plug to leak again.

Epoxy Crack Injections

Epoxy crack injection is an effective method designed to fix cracks in poured concrete foundations. Airlift Concrete Experts is highly experienced and knowledgeable about this type of repair.

This type of repair is applied from the inside of your basement, so there is no need for excavation on the outside. Once the epoxy is applied, it usually takes about 5 hours to cure. Epoxy injections will permanently seal cracks and provide structural integrity as the epoxy is stronger than the concrete itself. Call Airlift Concrete Experts today to learn more and find out if an epoxy injection is the right solution for you!

Excavation

Sometimes, foundation cracks will continue to form because of serious water issues affecting the foundation. In this case, excavation is required. All structures, sidewalks, gardens, and landscaping are removed during excavation. Then multiple layers of synthetic waterproof material are installed to prevent further movement of the wall and prevent water from affecting the foundation.

After the waterproofing is installed, everything is returned. It is important to keep in mind that the excavated soil will settle during the first year, so you will need to regrade it the following year.

Polyurethane Polymer Injection

The best method to repair a foundation crack that is leaking is to inject into it a high-viscosity polyurethane polymer. Unlike other fillers, polyurethane bonds well to both wet and dry concrete, and its high viscosity allows it to fill even the smallest hairline cracks.

Polyurethane polymer can be developed to expand up to 20 times its volume, if needed. As a result, the seal will not fail as the wall continues to move and shift. Also, it is much less expensive than other exterior methods because it requires no labor-intensive excavation and can be completed within a few hours.

Foundation Piers

For more serious cases where foundation cracks indicate structural damage, we can install steel foundation piers to bring permanent stability to your home, preventing cracks and other issues from forming in the future.

Steel piers are drilled below the weak, top layers of the soil until they reach more stable soil deeper in the ground. The weight of your home is then lifted onto the piers, permanently stabilized.

Cracks can now be sealed without worry of forming again because the foundation is in place for good.

Contact Airlift Concrete Experts for Foundation Cracks

If you’re not sure how to repair a crack or whether or not repairing a foundation crack is an adequate solution to your problem, contact Airlift Concrete Experts today. We would be happy to provide you with a free consultation and quote!